Prosecutor Nicola Picardi had sought a three-year sentence, with an indefinite ban on Gabriele holding public office or positions of authority.

BBC: Pope ex-butler Paolo Gabriele jailed for theft

Mr. Obama can take some steps without agreement from Congress, as he has executive authority to ban certain gun imports and strengthen some aspects of background checks.

WSJ: Biden's Emerging Gun Plan Draws NRA Ire

On 18 September 2008, the UK regulator, the Financial Services Authority, introduced a temporary ban on the short-selling of bank and financial shares.

BBC: Can a ban on speculation strengthen Europe's banks?

White House officials say the FEC, by a majority vote of its six-member panel, has the existing authority to ban soft money, and that's what the president will push for.

CNN: AllPolitics - Clinton Wrapping Up "Soft Money" Proposal

Rangers boss Walter Smith took in the match from the stand, the first of his four-match domestic ban, and he had plenty of cause for concern as Celtic began to exert their authority.

BBC: Rangers 2-1 Celtic

Tennis complies with the World Anti-Doping Authority's code, which recommends a two-year ban for possession of prohibited substances.

CNN: U.S. player faces ban for importing HGH